Elyse Winery

Elyse

2008 Le Corbeau

Los Carneros

$37.00 a bottle 

Last  weekend I finally was able to venture out to Napa in search of a great Cabernet but to my surprise, I found an incredible Rhone Blend "Le Corbeau" by Elyse Winery. I was very fortunate to get a personal tour and tasting with winemaker Mike Trotta, of Elyse Winery. He was very gracious showing me the property and the behind the scenes of the winery. Mike became winemaker of this very cute and quaint winery back in 2001. Talking with Mike that morning I could definitely feel his passion for Elyse Winery and making their wines. Owners Ray and Nancy Coursen started making wine back in 1987. Then in 1997 they purchased a small winery and vineyard on Hoffman Lane in Napa, CA which is the home to Elyse Winery today and was named after their daughter.

Elyse's 2008 Le Corbeau is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah and comes from the Hudson vineyard in Los Carneros. This blend is aged 22 months in 20% new French oak and 80% in neutral barrels. This Rhone blend is a light red wine and surprisingly complex from start to finish. The huge structure of this bottle is what drew me in and made me a lover. Le Corbeau has beautiful aromas of herbs, tea leaf, plums and raspberries. The complexity on the palate is what makes this wine so alluring. It seemed every sip I tasted something new. Tasting first raspberries, herbs, distinct white pepper, and bark. There was also a very captivating finish on this wine of buttery caramel. As the wine opened up, little hints of smoke also showed up in the finish. So many rich layers to this wine is what makes this bottle so incredible. If in Napa, it is a must stop! Elyse Winery is by appointment only (707) 944-2900.